What tips can you give about packing?
May 2nd, 2017, 12:47 PM
#41
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I don't agree, janisj (I mean about weight not gender. I agree about gender aspect.
Jeans for me take up significantly more space than my youngest sister's jeans. She has no hips (I mean compared to my figure), she's a hundred pounds lighter, and 6 inches shorter. So item to item, weight and height make a huge difference. Like macross' husband though, I've just started to buy stuff that packs smaller.
The difference is though, I'd rather wear jeans in winter. So my bag in winter is about twice the size it would be in summer- just because of those jeans. I experimented some last trip with silk long underwear and leggings. It helped a lot. But jeans wear better for me with less washing than leggings and long underwear, so I still wouldn't leave jeans behind. That's a travel trip that I just don't think works for everyone. That and the limited palette thing. I might leave a "one use" item behind because of color. But not something I'm comfortable in.
So I think season makes light packing a lot more difficult. In summer, I can live in dresses. No layers, no pants, and one pair of shorts for sporty activities. And I can wear dresses more frequently than pants without washing them too. Can spot wash underarms. Can't spot wash crotch and cuffs nearly as effectively lol.
Jeans for me take up significantly more space than my youngest sister's jeans. She has no hips (I mean compared to my figure), she's a hundred pounds lighter, and 6 inches shorter. So item to item, weight and height make a huge difference. Like macross' husband though, I've just started to buy stuff that packs smaller.
The difference is though, I'd rather wear jeans in winter. So my bag in winter is about twice the size it would be in summer- just because of those jeans. I experimented some last trip with silk long underwear and leggings. It helped a lot. But jeans wear better for me with less washing than leggings and long underwear, so I still wouldn't leave jeans behind. That's a travel trip that I just don't think works for everyone. That and the limited palette thing. I might leave a "one use" item behind because of color. But not something I'm comfortable in.
So I think season makes light packing a lot more difficult. In summer, I can live in dresses. No layers, no pants, and one pair of shorts for sporty activities. And I can wear dresses more frequently than pants without washing them too. Can spot wash underarms. Can't spot wash crotch and cuffs nearly as effectively lol.
May 2nd, 2017, 01:13 PM
#42
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<i> Can spot wash underarms. Can't spot wash crotch ... nearly as effectively lol. </i>
In Italy you can! Evviva il bidet!
Anyway, there are always panty liners. In the old days, they used to have armpit liners, called "dress shields".
In Italy you can! Evviva il bidet!
Anyway, there are always panty liners. In the old days, they used to have armpit liners, called "dress shields".
May 2nd, 2017, 01:26 PM
#43
I put all the tops and undies and scarves in plastic bags that zip shut. Maybe three tops in each bag, bras and nightgown in one, undies in another, socks that won't fit in the shoes in another. You can squish out an amazing amount of air doing that, whether the items are rolled or flat, I prefer flat. For the tops I leave a bit of air in the bag so they don't wrinkle.
It's also easier to pull out the bag that has the top I want for the day without pawing through everything which just makes a mess. Just toss the bags in the suitcase when I have what I want without carefully repacking. Jeans or pants and shoes ar the only clothing items not in bags.
Best thing I ever learned, thanks Fodors Italy forum!
It's also easier to pull out the bag that has the top I want for the day without pawing through everything which just makes a mess. Just toss the bags in the suitcase when I have what I want without carefully repacking. Jeans or pants and shoes ar the only clothing items not in bags.
Best thing I ever learned, thanks Fodors Italy forum!
May 2nd, 2017, 01:41 PM
#44
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Unless I'm just spending one night, I completely unpack my bags and hang things up or put them in drawers as soon as I arrive at my hotel. The plastic bags would just be an impediment to me.
As far as rolling, I only roll knits. If they're folded and rolled carefully, they don't wrinkle at all. When traveling, I mostly wear knit tops, but normal (woven) slacks.
As far as rolling, I only roll knits. If they're folded and rolled carefully, they don't wrinkle at all. When traveling, I mostly wear knit tops, but normal (woven) slacks.
May 2nd, 2017, 02:36 PM
#46
>>So I think season makes light packing a lot more difficult. I<<
Not really. Again in general -- winter clothes are bulkier but one doesn't change as often and can up vary an outfit by adding a cashmere scarf or a puffer vest or something. Summer clothes are much less bulky -- BUT one generally changes multiple times a day, takes several swim suits, gets sweatier so clothes can't be worn over and over w/o laundering.
In the grand scheme of things -- More clothes in the summer, fewer but heavier clothes in the winter. It all averages to about the same Volume (I've been teaching packing classes for 17+ years to nearly 20,000 people).
Re sizes: Over the years I've demonstrated every sort of wardrobe from a size 2, to a size 24, to men's. Yes there are some accommodations one has to make if they are VERY large/morbidly obese. But anyone who would be considered within normal ranges - it all fits pretty much the same.
Not really. Again in general -- winter clothes are bulkier but one doesn't change as often and can up vary an outfit by adding a cashmere scarf or a puffer vest or something. Summer clothes are much less bulky -- BUT one generally changes multiple times a day, takes several swim suits, gets sweatier so clothes can't be worn over and over w/o laundering.
In the grand scheme of things -- More clothes in the summer, fewer but heavier clothes in the winter. It all averages to about the same Volume (I've been teaching packing classes for 17+ years to nearly 20,000 people).
Re sizes: Over the years I've demonstrated every sort of wardrobe from a size 2, to a size 24, to men's. Yes there are some accommodations one has to make if they are VERY large/morbidly obese. But anyone who would be considered within normal ranges - it all fits pretty much the same.
May 2nd, 2017, 03:10 PM
#48
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I start with a wish-list. I put everything I would dearly like to wear on this trip on my bed, and then I get out my (21") suitcase. Before I decide on the clothes, I lay out all the toiletries I think I need (which is always 10 times more than I actually need). I winnow them down to a handful that fits in a small dob-kit.
OK, that done, I turn to the clothes. First I think about outerwear and shoes. I never, ever take more than 2 pairs of shoes. One is entirely practical, sturdy, hike-proof, rain-proof, but wearable on the plane. The other is lightweight and will look good with a nice pair of pants, leggings and a long overshirt, or whatever, but also sturdy enough to walk around in without breaking (more) bones in y feet. Then, yes, I take (wear on the plane) a pair of lightweight skinny jeans (yes, I'm in the tiny category-110 lbs, 5'3'). And a pair of grey or black lightweight pants, and a pair of black leggings. I pack the most lightweight but warm and rainproof overcoat or jacket I have, depending on where I'm going.
My tops include 2 long-sleeve, one short-sleeve, and two long and light sort of long over-dresses, usually a stretch fabric, not sure how to describe them but they work for casual as well as a nice dinner. And one turtleneck and one wool cardigan. And one long no-weight silk overshirt.
Underwear and socks for 5 days that can easily be rinsed and dried. One scarf.
I don't need hairdryers or appliances. I wash my hair, shake it out, and call it a day. One lipstick, one mascara.
If it doesn't all fit easily in the suitcase with room to spare, I pare down even further. It's not as though any country in the world these days doesn't have things you can buy if you're missing them.
I don't roll. I don't use plastic bags. I pack so as to be able to unpack for a night or two at once without upsetting the contents of the suitcase.
This probably doesn't help you much, Edward, as I'm female, but my husband wears one pair of pants (with lots of pockets), packs another, usually light jeans blue or grey, two long tops, a couple of short-sleeved ones, a lightweight jacket, a scarf, a wool vest with lots of pockets, a puffy rainproof black coat with hood, a rain hat, and a small dob-kit with his own very few toiletries.
Our day-packs/in our case messenger bags, carry our maps, guidebooks, wallets, passports, a folder with printouts of all our reservations, tiny mirror, tiny hairbrush, cell phones, iPad, and laptops. Sometimes a small bottle of water, though I think the American habit of traveling around with a liter of water is an affectation. There's water everywhere.
I think most people on Fodors who have met us in Europe would agree that we normally look respectable. Whether we act respectable is an entirely different issue.
OK, that done, I turn to the clothes. First I think about outerwear and shoes. I never, ever take more than 2 pairs of shoes. One is entirely practical, sturdy, hike-proof, rain-proof, but wearable on the plane. The other is lightweight and will look good with a nice pair of pants, leggings and a long overshirt, or whatever, but also sturdy enough to walk around in without breaking (more) bones in y feet. Then, yes, I take (wear on the plane) a pair of lightweight skinny jeans (yes, I'm in the tiny category-110 lbs, 5'3'). And a pair of grey or black lightweight pants, and a pair of black leggings. I pack the most lightweight but warm and rainproof overcoat or jacket I have, depending on where I'm going.
My tops include 2 long-sleeve, one short-sleeve, and two long and light sort of long over-dresses, usually a stretch fabric, not sure how to describe them but they work for casual as well as a nice dinner. And one turtleneck and one wool cardigan. And one long no-weight silk overshirt.
Underwear and socks for 5 days that can easily be rinsed and dried. One scarf.
I don't need hairdryers or appliances. I wash my hair, shake it out, and call it a day. One lipstick, one mascara.
If it doesn't all fit easily in the suitcase with room to spare, I pare down even further. It's not as though any country in the world these days doesn't have things you can buy if you're missing them.
I don't roll. I don't use plastic bags. I pack so as to be able to unpack for a night or two at once without upsetting the contents of the suitcase.
This probably doesn't help you much, Edward, as I'm female, but my husband wears one pair of pants (with lots of pockets), packs another, usually light jeans blue or grey, two long tops, a couple of short-sleeved ones, a lightweight jacket, a scarf, a wool vest with lots of pockets, a puffy rainproof black coat with hood, a rain hat, and a small dob-kit with his own very few toiletries.
Our day-packs/in our case messenger bags, carry our maps, guidebooks, wallets, passports, a folder with printouts of all our reservations, tiny mirror, tiny hairbrush, cell phones, iPad, and laptops. Sometimes a small bottle of water, though I think the American habit of traveling around with a liter of water is an affectation. There's water everywhere.
I think most people on Fodors who have met us in Europe would agree that we normally look respectable. Whether we act respectable is an entirely different issue.
May 2nd, 2017, 03:20 PM
#49
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Maybe it's just me but I sweat crotch wise. I know. Tmi. So maybe other people can't tell I've been wearing the same jeans but I can tell. Yucky feeling. I have tried panty liners and never really got used to it.
I meant wash the crotch of your pants lol. Fascinating bit about the armpit shields! That makes a lot of sense.
Even my summer shirts take up less room. They're shells and thin tshirts. Winter it's wool long sleeved. It's not a huge difference but it is a difference.
And I don't change multiple times a day unless it's a seriously hot/humid place like Florida. Nor do I take several swim suits. (Are you kidding me? They dry overnight and I'm lucky if I find one swimsuit that fits properly). Nor do I usually wear socks in the summer. Maybe one pair for hiking. Probably the only thing I take extra of in summer is underwear and bras because those I do change multiple times a day (and different bras for different tops. Not an issue that typically exists for me in winter.)
I didn't find the compression bag thing helpful except for dirty laundry. That was super useful. but rolling is faster and takes up less space (in my experience).
I meant wash the crotch of your pants lol. Fascinating bit about the armpit shields! That makes a lot of sense.
Even my summer shirts take up less room. They're shells and thin tshirts. Winter it's wool long sleeved. It's not a huge difference but it is a difference.
And I don't change multiple times a day unless it's a seriously hot/humid place like Florida. Nor do I take several swim suits. (Are you kidding me? They dry overnight and I'm lucky if I find one swimsuit that fits properly). Nor do I usually wear socks in the summer. Maybe one pair for hiking. Probably the only thing I take extra of in summer is underwear and bras because those I do change multiple times a day (and different bras for different tops. Not an issue that typically exists for me in winter.)
I didn't find the compression bag thing helpful except for dirty laundry. That was super useful. but rolling is faster and takes up less space (in my experience).
May 3rd, 2017, 02:23 PM
#52
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Oh gosh! Just wash out your underwear. I have never had to think about washing out the crotch area of a pair of pants (or even the underarm area of shirts). What am I missing? I'm pretty tiny and I don't sweat much, but some of these problems seem alien to me, and propel me into the world of our dear friends whom we travel a fair lot with who wear Depends, and I never ask questions but am always curious as to How Does That Work?
May 3rd, 2017, 02:42 PM
#53
In the old days, they used to have armpit liners, called "dress shields".
I remember those for wool dresses. They had to go to the dry cleaners so you wore dress shields. The modern day deodorant must a lot better these days!
My husband rides long distance on motorcycles so he is the king of under-packing. I actually pack a couple extra shirts for him and whip them out after arriving. No to heavy jeans. They take up so much space. I just bought sold black lightweight nikes. Waiting for them to arrive and hoping they will do as my only shoes. I want to buy sandals in Europe this trip.
I remember those for wool dresses. They had to go to the dry cleaners so you wore dress shields. The modern day deodorant must a lot better these days!
My husband rides long distance on motorcycles so he is the king of under-packing. I actually pack a couple extra shirts for him and whip them out after arriving. No to heavy jeans. They take up so much space. I just bought sold black lightweight nikes. Waiting for them to arrive and hoping they will do as my only shoes. I want to buy sandals in Europe this trip.
May 3rd, 2017, 02:43 PM
#54
StCirq and suze: After years of teaching my classes you'd be surprised about some of the problems and habits other have 
I used to say just take minimal underwear and hand wash every 3 or 4 nights . . . and you would NOT believe the reactions in some groups. I have discovered that about half of the universe thinks nothing of hand washing undies . . . and the other half would never consider such a thing. It is simply too "eewww!" for them to consider.
Now I say something along the lines of "If you are in the had wash camp, take 2 or 3 sets of undies and wash along the way. If you don't do hand washing - take as many as you want since they take up virtually no space."
I used to say just take minimal underwear and hand wash every 3 or 4 nights . . . and you would NOT believe the reactions in some groups. I have discovered that about half of the universe thinks nothing of hand washing undies . . . and the other half would never consider such a thing. It is simply too "eewww!" for them to consider.
Now I say something along the lines of "If you are in the had wash camp, take 2 or 3 sets of undies and wash along the way. If you don't do hand washing - take as many as you want since they take up virtually no space."
)
May 3rd, 2017, 03:45 PM
#57
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Stcirq- ew. Now you have me wondering about depends. I never want to learn first hand about traveling with them. My jeans thing might just be a personal quirk? I don't know. After wearing jeans 4-5 days, they've lost that clean jeans feeling and I like that feeling. Maybe the clean clothes feeling is mostly in my head though.
I think the wool dress thing may be less improved deodorant and more changes to technology and the fashion industry. Most people aren't keeping dresses that long anymore- clothing has become more disposable. Wool is higher maintenance than cotton or rayon or polyester. And washing clothing is far, far less labor intensive than it used to be.
Janisj--just out of curiousity, how does your class thing work? Do you get paid by organizations or individuals? You're always mentioning this. I wouldn't have thought there would be that big of a market. I've attended a few packing classes because I am easily entertained and like to see how others pack, but usually it's disappointing. It's just stuff I've generally picked up through trial and error or stuff that I wouldn't use (I.e. I know one can wash underwear in the sink but one will also just go to the laundromat at least once. Like you say, underwear takes up very little space.)
I think the wool dress thing may be less improved deodorant and more changes to technology and the fashion industry. Most people aren't keeping dresses that long anymore- clothing has become more disposable. Wool is higher maintenance than cotton or rayon or polyester. And washing clothing is far, far less labor intensive than it used to be.
Janisj--just out of curiousity, how does your class thing work? Do you get paid by organizations or individuals? You're always mentioning this. I wouldn't have thought there would be that big of a market. I've attended a few packing classes because I am easily entertained and like to see how others pack, but usually it's disappointing. It's just stuff I've generally picked up through trial and error or stuff that I wouldn't use (I.e. I know one can wash underwear in the sink but one will also just go to the laundromat at least once. Like you say, underwear takes up very little space.)
May 3rd, 2017, 05:21 PM
#58
>> I wouldn't have thought there would be that big of a market<<
One wouldn't think so but people are turned away from most of my presentations because they exceed the room capacity.
This isn't a job, more a hobby -- Maybe 70% are at local libraries and between 75 and 200 attend but sometimes just a handful at small rural branches. In most of the region's library systems each branch has a 'Friends group' that raises money to underwrite Children's and Adult programs. I get paid semi-small honoraria (typically $100 to $400-ish). Other times tickets are sold as a fund raiser and I get a cut. The smallest group I've had was about 12 in a teensy library that is only open 3 days a week. The largest nearly 500 in the large central library.
Others are at places like 55+ community travel clubs (there are several large ones in the area), professional organizations, or fund raisers for non profits.
I don't promote/advertise them any more. I did, but stopped maybe 8-9 years ago because there was just too much demand and I wanted to slow down. Now it is strictly word of mouth and I'm down to around 6, to maybe 10 in a busy year.
The usual program is 90 minutes. I do an intro that covers types of luggage, which gadgets make sense and which don't, TSA rules, how to cope w/ the 3oz/1 quart requirements, money belts/security, etc etc. I briefly cover how to pick a wardrobe and what sorts of clothes expand their options (it is amazing the sorts of questions people have)
Then the second half is actually packing a two week wardrobe in a 20 inch carry on.
I provide a 3 page color handout.
One wouldn't think so but people are turned away from most of my presentations because they exceed the room capacity.
This isn't a job, more a hobby -- Maybe 70% are at local libraries and between 75 and 200 attend but sometimes just a handful at small rural branches. In most of the region's library systems each branch has a 'Friends group' that raises money to underwrite Children's and Adult programs. I get paid semi-small honoraria (typically $100 to $400-ish). Other times tickets are sold as a fund raiser and I get a cut. The smallest group I've had was about 12 in a teensy library that is only open 3 days a week. The largest nearly 500 in the large central library.
Others are at places like 55+ community travel clubs (there are several large ones in the area), professional organizations, or fund raisers for non profits.
I don't promote/advertise them any more. I did, but stopped maybe 8-9 years ago because there was just too much demand and I wanted to slow down. Now it is strictly word of mouth and I'm down to around 6, to maybe 10 in a busy year.
The usual program is 90 minutes. I do an intro that covers types of luggage, which gadgets make sense and which don't, TSA rules, how to cope w/ the 3oz/1 quart requirements, money belts/security, etc etc. I briefly cover how to pick a wardrobe and what sorts of clothes expand their options (it is amazing the sorts of questions people have)
Then the second half is actually packing a two week wardrobe in a 20 inch carry on.
I provide a 3 page color handout.
May 3rd, 2017, 05:44 PM
#59
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Ah, that does make sense. The ones I have been to are mostly just packing- but I've been to one at library because I happened to be in the stacks on the day it happened.
I actually can see people attending it out of sheer confusion. TSA makes their regulations sound more picky than they actually are. And the thing about the gadgets made me smile- travel shops sell the craziest stuff. First they come up with a problem you did not even know you have and then they have the perfect gadget to solve that problem. And then the travel clothes. I love reading descriptions on those. They always sound so high tech and then you realize what it's really saying is that it dries quickly...just like the polystester shirt you're wearing lol.
I actually can see people attending it out of sheer confusion. TSA makes their regulations sound more picky than they actually are. And the thing about the gadgets made me smile- travel shops sell the craziest stuff. First they come up with a problem you did not even know you have and then they have the perfect gadget to solve that problem. And then the travel clothes. I love reading descriptions on those. They always sound so high tech and then you realize what it's really saying is that it dries quickly...just like the polystester shirt you're wearing lol.
